JOHNNY GILES is a true legend of Irish football – who played for Ireland, managed the national team and went on to become a TV pundit on RTE.

Giles is the subject of a television documentary on RTE 1 this evening which charts his rise from playing on the streets of Dublin to becoming a football icon in England.

Johnny Giles

Where is he from and how old is he?

GILES grew up in Ormond Square in north inner-city Dublin and learned his football playing on the streets of the capital.

The 76-year-old was born on November 6, 1940.

What is he famous for?

GILES is renowned as one of the best midfielders the country has produced and known to younger fans from his time as a TV analyst.

He played youth football with Stella Maris before joining Manchester United for £33,000 in 1956.

Johnny Giles became a Leeds United legend

He said: “There was an arrogance that no one leaves Old Trafford and does well. I thought, ‘I’m going to prove that wrong’.

“It sounds childish now and I’d only just got married at the time but I said, ‘I’ll haunt them’.”

Giles made 99 appearances for the Red Devils before leaving for Leeds United in 1973 – where he forged his reputation as a world-class player.

He made his Ireland international debut at the age of 18 and went on to make 59 appearances for his country, during a time when Ireland had yet to qualify for a major tournament.

Giles won two league titles with Leeds and also captured a League Cup and an FA Cup.

His tough-tackling style was famous but he was also renowned for his skill with the ball at his feet.

What happened next?

AFTER leaving Leeds in 1975, Giles went on to become player-manager of West Brom and player-manager of Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland.

Johnny Giles in his Shamrock Rovers days

He had been player-manager of Ireland since 1973 and remained as boss of he national team until 1980.

The Dubliner’s managerial career saw him take charge of Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps before a short stint back at West Brom.

When did his TV career begin?

GILES started out as a pundit for RTE in 1986 and left the role after Euro 2016.

He also appears on Newstalk Radio.

Relationship with Eamon Dunphy

CONTROVERSIAL pundit Dunphy and Giles are great friends – although there was a public falling-out between the pair in 2002 which was quickly resloved.

Dunphy paid an emotional tribute to Giles on his final night working for RTE.

Giles and Eamon Dunphy

He said: “His greatness is due to his courage and his foresight and his wisdom.

“He had the wisdom to leave Manchester United when they were the top club in England to go to Leeds United in the second division, to believe in Don Revie who was building a great team.

“He went on to manage West Brom. Don Revie wanted him to succeed him as manager if Leeds. Bill Nicholson wanted him at Tottenham as the coach.

“He was the hottest young manager in England and he walked away from the game because he didn’t like how it was run.

“He managed the Irish team, changed the culture over seven years. Brave, courageous foresight. It’s always been his hallmark. In the 30 years he’s sat in that chair, if any young kids out there are wondering, ‘who’s that guy?’, that guy is the greatest football man we’ve ever had.

“He’s a great. great friend to all of us, a joy to work with and a great, great figure in the history of Irish sport.”